Norepinephrine transporter and Vesicular monoamine transporter (N/A)

The norepinephrine transporter (NET, SLC6A2) is a membrane protein on noradrenergic nerve terminals and adrenal chromaffin cells that mediates the reuptake of norepinephrine from the synaptic cleft into presynaptic neurons, helping terminate noradrenergic signaling and regulate catecholamine availability. It is a target for many antidepressants, psychostimulants, and radiopharmaceuticals used in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. The vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT; mainly VMAT2 in neurons and VMAT1 in peripheral tissues) is responsible for transporting monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, histamine) from the neuronal cytosol into secretory vesicles, enabling regulated neurotransmitter release. Inhibitors like reserpine and tetrabenazine are used therapeutically in neurological and psychiatric disorders but risk monoamine depletion–related side effects. This entry combines information for two distinct targets (NET and VMAT) which should ideally be treated and annotated separately for clarity and accuracy in structured data.

Other names

NETNoradrenaline transporterSLC6A2VMATChromaffin granule amine transporterSLC18A1SLC18A2

Norepinephrine transporter: Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake (increases noradrenergic neurotransmission), inhibition by antidepressants and psychostimulants (blocking synaptic clearance), targeted uptake for radiotherapeutics in neuroblastoma (MIBG). Vesicular monoamine transporter: Inhibition (prevents storage of monoamines, depleting neurotransmitter stores), used therapeutically in hyperkinetic movement disorders, hypertension, neuroendocrine tumors.